Introduction:
Practical examples of how Christians should relate to others.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Lessons for you and for your family.
Ephesians 4:25-32 NLT
Living as Children of Light (continued)
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Examine the scriptures:
Ephesians 4:25-32 NLT
Living as Children of Light (continued)
Our previous lesson ended with Ephesians 4:24:
24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Colossians 1:13 says:
Colossians 1:13 NLT
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,
We read in 2 Corinthians 2:17:
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
- Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Christians should be “changed lives changing lives”.
25 So stop telling lies.
What is a lie?
Exaggerations, fabrications, cheating, making foolish promises, betraying a confidence, and making false excuses are all forms of lying.
People all around us are telling lies (starting with our government officials).
“Good” people tell lies. (That behavior is destructive.)
Scripture tells us to stop telling lies.
- Don’t tell lies.
Proverbs 6:16-19 NLT
16 There are six things the Lord hates—
no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.
Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
Tell the truth.
Ephesians 4:15 NLT
15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love,
- Speak the truth in love.
- Lying destroys unity in the body of Christ.
- Lying destroys our Christian testimony.
Ephesians 4:3 NLT
3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
Psalm 133:1 NLT
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
Romans 12:5 NLT
5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,
The Bible talks a lot about anger.
Psalm 4:4 NLT
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
Think about it overnight and remain silent.
James 1:19-20 NLT
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
Colossians 3:8 NLT
8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 NLT
9 Control your temper,
for anger labels you a fool.
Proverbs 15:1 NLT
15:1 A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.
Proverbs 29:11 NLT
11 Fools vent their anger,
but the wise quietly hold it back.
- Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
This is not saying, “Don’t ever get angry.”
- Not all anger is sin.
Being angry with evil can be righteous anger which is not only permissible but commanded.
Proverbs 8:13 NLT
13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil.
Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
corruption and perverse speech.
Psalm 97:10 NLT
10 You who love the Lord, hate evil!
Romans 12:9 NLT
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
Jesus got angry.
Mark 3:5 NLT
5 He looked around at them (Pharisees) angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!
Matthew 21:12-13 NLT
12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
Deal with anger before the sun goes down.
Anger must be resolved quickly.
“Keep short accounts.”
Don’t let anger control you.
27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Not all anger is sin. However,
anger gives a foothold to the devil, giving him an opportunity to lead us into further sin. Anger begins to control us rather than us controlling our anger.
Satan can use anger to create division among Christians.
- Anger gives a foothold to the devil, giving him an opportunity to lead us into further sin.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing.
Exodus 20:15 NLT
15 “You must not steal.
Define stealing.
“Good” people steal. (That behavior is destructive.)
- Don’t steal.
Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
- Work hard and then give generously to others in need.
Hard work provides for a person’s material needs.
Hard work gives us something useful to do.
Hard work enables us to help others materially.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 NLT
11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language.
Also consider:
Deuteronomy 5:11 New Living Translation
11 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
Deuteronomy 5:11 King James Version
11 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
- Don’t use foul or abusive language.
“Good” people use abusive language. (That behavior is destructive.)
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
- Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Good words benefit the hearer.
Be an encouragement to others.
- Foul or abusive language is totally out of character for someone professing to be a Christian.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live.
Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Why would we knowingly bring sorrow (by lying, getting angry, stealing, using abusive language to someone who has done so much for us?
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
Proverbs 15:1 NLT
A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.
Proverbs 15:1-2 NIV
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
- Be Kind. Be tenderhearted (compassionate). Be forgiving.
Colossians 3:12-13 NLT
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
1 John 4:19 NLT
19 We love each other because he loved us first.
